| By DREW BROACH | Deputy metro editor |
VETTING VOTERS: Organizers of the effort to recall New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell sued two election officials on Thursday, setting the stage for what could be a protracted legal and political fight as they prepare to show whether they have sufficient voter signatures to force a referendum on her fate. FLUSH: Eight months before Louisiana’s gubernatorial election, Republican Jeff Landry and a political action committee that promotes him have collectively amassed more campaign money than all other declared candidates combined. ABOUT-FACE: In a bid to attract a more diverse pool of job applicants, the New Orleans Police Department partnered in January with a local filmmaker to create a 30-second recruiting video. It featured Mardi Gras Indians, Big Freedia backup dancers, Baby Dolls, Rolling Elvi and Chewbacchus characters dancing around a Latina police officer, the calm center of their kinetic, Carnivalistic storm. Within an hour of the spot going live, the Police Department took it down. Here’s why. Thank you for starting your Friday with Morning Headlines. Stay up to date with the latest news — and parade photos — on NOLA.com. D.B. | 